Sheet Transport Device Lifting Control for Small Quantities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet transport devices face transport failures when the remaining number of sheets on a tray is small, as they rely on constant lifting control regardless of detected height information, leading to potential misfeeding and damage due to sagging sheets.

Innovation Solution

A sheet transport device that switches from normal lifting control to small-quantity state control when the remaining number of sheets is detected as low, adjusting the lifting amount based on sheet thickness, width, and length to prevent misfeeding and damage, using sensors to detect the sheet quantity and height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If constant lifting control is performed regardless of sheet quantity, then the device structure remains simple, but transport failures occur when the remaining number of sheets is small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting control system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the detected sheet quantity. When the remaining number of sheets is small, the system switches to small-quantity state control with increased lifting amount, whereas in normal states it uses standard lifting control. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the control system flexible rather than fixed, improving reliability without requiring completely new hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the lifting parameter (lifting amount) based on the sheet quantity condition. In small-quantity states, the lifting amount is increased to prevent transport failures caused by sagging sheets. This parameter adjustment allows the same hardware to operate reliably under different conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If lifting amount is increased for small-quantity state, then transport failures are reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically detects the sheet quantity and adjusts the lifting control accordingly. The increased lifting amount is applied only during small-quantity states rather than continuously, allowing the system to consume more energy only when necessary for reliable transport, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies excessive lifting action (increased lifting amount) only partially - specifically during small-quantity states when transport failures are more likely. This partial application of excessive action ensures reliability when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11479424B2Sheet transport device and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A sheet transport device includes a processor configured to change lifting control for lifting sheets on a tray, which are to be floated up and handed over, from normal state control to small-quantity state control in a case where it is detected that the remaining number of sheets on the tray is small.